Adult Services,Career Coaching,Community Services,Multnomah County,Portland,SNAP,Training,Washington County
Helping People Navigate SNAP Work Requirements
When federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) took effect over the past year, the impact was immediate for many Oregonians. More people are now required to meet monthly work requirements to keep their food benefits, and the rules themselves have become more complex.
In a recent interview on OPB’s Think Out Loud, Worksystems’ Jesse Aronson joined Nate Singer, Oregon Eligibility Partnership Director at ODHS, and Matt Newell-Ching, Senior Policy Manager at Oregon Food Bank to talk about how this is affecting community members, and what it takes to help people keep their benefits.
Under the new rules, “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)” need to complete 80 hours each month of work, job search, training, or volunteer activities to remain eligible for SNAP. For many, the challenge is not willingness to comply, but navigating the requirements and documenting their progress.
Participants access Career Boost through a network of community-based providers and pre-apprenticeship programs across Multnomah and Washington counties. These partners meet people where they are and help them take the next step. When employment activities are paired with coaching and support services—like help with transportation, tools, or work clothing—participants are much more likely to stay engaged and succeed.
What we’re hearing across our provider network is consistent: most people are motivated to meet work requirements and keep their benefits, but face barriers that make it harder than it sounds. Understanding what counts, reporting hours correctly, navigating language barriers, and balancing inconsistent work schedules can all get in the way.
That’s why individualized support is central to Career Boost. Providers and career coaches help participants understand their options, enroll in qualifying activities, track and report their hours, and apply for exemptions when appropriate. This kind of hands-on guidance turns a complex system into something people can realistically navigate.
The results speak to what’s possible with the right support. Since July 2025, Career Boost has provided 176 training scholarships, and 51 participants have started pre-apprenticeship programs. Many participants in training are also able to qualify for exemptions, helping them stay connected to benefits while building new skills.
Ultimately, this work is about more than meeting a requirement. Losing SNAP benefits, even temporarily, can disrupt a household’s stability, but when people are connected to both benefits and workforce services, the outcome can look very different. When basic needs are met, people are open to start on their path to self-sufficiency.
